How Much Does it Cost to Repair a Roof in 2018?

Your roof is an essential structural component of your home. It’s no wonder that the phrase ‘roof over your head’ has come to represent comfort, stability, and security since it’s a roof that acts as the main line of defense against the elements. There are a wide variety of roofing shapes and materials, and it’s an aspect of owning a home that can prove to be a nightmare if not properly maintained.

Many things can potentially go wrong with your roof, from missing shingles to poorly-installed guttering or flashing. It’s important to know what both minor and significant roof repairs cost so that you’re financially prepared for the next major storm that comes through or just to keep up with simple maintenance due to a roof’s age.

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Minor Repairs

A minor roof repair is a repair that is only needed in one small section of the roof. It could be a few missing shingles in one area, a patch which has been more vulnerable to water damage due to its shape, a shady part of the roof which remains cold and damp due to lack of sunlight, or simple wear and tear that does not require a complete upheaval. A minor roof repair such as sealing a leak and replacing the shingles in the area will cost approximately $150.

Moderate Repairs

Moderate repairs could cost somewhere between $500 and $1000 depending on the specific nature of the repair. Asphalt shingles with installation, for example, cost between $300 and $500 for a ten-foot by ten-foot section, referred to as a square.

Another example of a moderate repair is damage to the chimney area. Quite often, the roofing is quite old, and special attention was never paid to the chimney area. A common problem with roofing is chimneys that don’t have a cricket; a piece of wood propped up against it to direct water flow and seal it off.

Because of this, you might find that there is nothing wrong with your roof in general, but after rain, there is water gathering on the inside of your home near the chimney. This can be either incorrect installation or wear and tear over an extended period. Replacing a chimney cricket isn’t expensive by itself, but the job as a whole will cost a few hundred. Make sure the contractor you hire includes the price of a cricket in their quote.

Major Repairs

Major repairs are only really needed if you’ve left things for so long that the leak on your roof has started to cause damage to the interior structure of your home. When you see signs of leakage such as brown-colored streaks after a storm or unexplained damp patches on your carpet near baseboards, things have become pretty severe, and it’s time to set aside money for some major repairs. Major repairs are repairs that mean the entire roof needs to be replaced, and even underneath it. These kinds of repairs can cost thousands of dollars. You can expect to pay up to $3000, or even more depending on the price of the material you choose and the labor involved.

Labor Costs

Many roofing contractors will estimate a job with a flat-rate price while others may charge by the hour. It’s important to understand how a roofing repair project is priced before starting the project.

Most roofers charge $70 – $100 per hour for repairs plus the cost of materials. For flat-rate jobs they may estimate the cost by the square, or 100 ft2. Many roofers charge around $300 per square for labor.

Labor rates vary based on geographic location, the experience of the contractors and the team, and the size of the company.

Prepare Ahead

While it’s almost impossible to give a specific price for a roof repair, there are ways you can come closer to a final price. If you merely inspect your roof and measure the area that needs to be repaired, you can at least calculate how much the roofing materials will cost. Combine this figure with average labor costs, and you’ll be able to determine a ballpark figure for your roof repairs.

Hire an Expert

Repairing a roof isn’t something that is very DIY friendly because it requires a high level of precision. Even something as small as a nail that’s too tight can cause your roof to become ineffective, so this is a job that should be reserved for the professionals. To get an estimate, it’s good protocol to find a contractor in your area and contact three to five before choosing who to hire.

At a minimum you should consider getting a roof inspection to assess any damages before beginning a repair project. Learn more about how much a roof inspection costs.

Learn more about what types of roofing materials are available and how much it costs to install a new roof. Most people spend around $8,000 to replace their roof, but the price varies based on the selected material and a number of other factors.